• Honytawk@lemmy.zip
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    9 months ago

    They already just prevent you from doing things that they don’t like.

    Try installing an older app, it just gives the error that the app is too old.

    • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
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      9 months ago

      Technically, Android does that, too, but the limit on that is a few years. If I’m not mistaken, the lowest version of Android that Google will allow a user to install through the Play Store is Android 12 (released in September 2020).

        • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
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          9 months ago

          That’s for manually installing apps, I believe. But developers on Google Play have to follow this.

          • TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml
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            9 months ago

            Also F-Droid and any third party app stores. Only Google Play enforces Android 12 API for new app update guidelines for developers.

            • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
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              9 months ago

              Yes, but 99% (give or take) of Android users won’t know or care how to install 3rd party apps. So most people would only care about the Google Play Store limitation.

              • TheAnonymouseJoker@lemmy.ml
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                9 months ago

                The limitation is overcome the moment someone downloads and installs APK from web browser or some store. It is artificial, and for nerds that want to install apps older than those for Android 6, they can toggle that flag with ADB.

                Apple on the other hand renders phones outside of its update cycle as junk devices, even if capable.